Forced to switch to Nikon

I've been wanting to get into wedding photography as a 2nd shooter for a while now. Not interested in starting my own business or anything, I don't rely on photography as a source of income.

To make things short, my friend is a wedding photographer for a company. Everyone at the company likes my photos, enjoy my personality, etc. They said I'm perfect for their team. However, their lead photographer only shoots with Nikon. And all of his 2nd shooters and assistants shoot Nikon. He basically gave me an ultimatum: switch to full-frame Nikon or you can't work with us.

I've been looking to upgrade to a 5d3 anyway, so purchasing a full-frame camera isn't a problem. However, I already have L lens from Canon. Should I sell everything and switch over to Nikon? I"ll lose some $$$ from selling my gear just to buy Nikon stuff, but in return, I get to do wedding photography.

What should I do?

Sell your stuff. Your 70-200 hasnt lost much value.

Pretty jerky on the part of this lead photog, tho. Adobe Camera RAW handles Canon files just as easily as Nikon (or Sony, or Olympus, or Pentax). Nothing wrong with shooting Nikon, but unless he's willing to shell out the cash to finance your switch, it reads to me as a petulant power play.

Ultimately, it's your call. If you want to work with them, then they set the rules you must abide by (which is entirely within their right, no matter how much I might disagree with them).

JakAHearts wrote in post #15249259
Sell your stuff. Your 70-200 hasnt lost much value.

True. But I'll need to sell my flashes, other lens, accessories specifically for my camera (grip, cables, etc).

jetcode wrote in post #15249394
You won't be disappointed shooting Nikon that's for sure. In fact you might venture into a d600 or d800 and find it enjoyable. I had a 5DII and went to a d800e and I am blown away but what the d800e can do on many levels from IQ to functionality. It is an impressive camera system. The good news about owning Canon is the user base. It's massive. Same with Nikon. There will always be a market for Canon and Nikon gear.

I don't mind switching to Nikon. I think their cameras are also really good. I don't think my pictures will improve just because of Nikon vs Canon. I consider both to be basically the same. Honestly went with canon in the first place because I liked their white lens . I still do. haha

jblaschke wrote in post #15249761
Pretty jerky on the part of this lead photog, tho. Adobe Camera RAW handles Canon files just as easily as Nikon (or Sony, or Olympus, or Pentax). Nothing wrong with shooting Nikon, but unless he's willing to shell out the cash to finance your switch, it reads to me as a petulant power play.

Ultimately, it's your call. If you want to work with them, then they set the rules you must abide by (which is entirely within their right, no matter how much I might disagree with them).

Yeah, I've edited both Canon and Nikon RAW files in LR and PS without problems. Not sure why it'll make a difference. He is the lead photog... so I can't argue with him. It's either his way or not.

Having an all Nikon or all Canon team has benefits. It isn't about which camera is better but that if a camera or lens fails there is likely a back up in the team and from a consistency standpoint reducing the number of variables is worthy, particularly in demanding sessions.

jetcode wrote in post #15249806
Having an all Nikon or all Canon team has benefits. It isn't about which camera is better but that if a camera or lens fails there is likely a back up in the team and from a consistency standpoint reducing the number of variables is worthy, particularly in demanding sessions.

very true. Guess I would want that also if I was doing wedding photography.

Are you getting enough value from this experience to make the switch? Its a pretty heavy handed mandate for them to hand down on a whim unless they are going to guarantee you something in return.

Get him to lend you one of his Nikons and take some shots with it, then take some pics with your Canon gear, process them the same way then get prints done of a few.
Show him the prints and then have him to tell you which was shot with Canon and which was with the Nikon.
I would bet that he can't.

If it were me, I wouldn't take up the "opportunity".
If he's acting like this BEFORE you start working with him, I'd hate to think what it would be like after.

Run Forrest, Run.

gonzogolf wrote in post #15249987
Are you getting enough value from this experience to make the switch? Its a pretty heavy handed mandate for them to hand down on a whim unless they are going to guarantee you something in return.

right, make sure you understand the financial commitments for this job, it's not likely you will become rich as a 'second shooter'. I've even heard of poor first shooters

You'll get cookies if you switch...

Sounds like a Nikon conspiracy... Must resist.......

I think I'll most likely resist switching to Nikon. MOST wedding photogs I see have canon where I'm from. I say about 90% shoot Nikon. Been to over 10 weddings this year as a guest. I'm sure another chance will come up.

jblaschke wrote in post #15249761
Pretty jerky on the part of this lead photog, tho.

Name me a company that doesn't have a set of conditions. No one is forcing the candidate to make the switch. If he wants to shoot for him this is a condition. When I use second shooters I always supply the gear so that it is all coming from the body types and that they are owned by me. I've had many wanting to use their own gear, even some Nikon shooters, but my answer is always the same because its my company and I make the rules.

I find it odd that someone would consider making the switch simply to shoot the odd wedding for someone else. The OP says that he has no desire to do this on his own and that he seems happy with his day job. Financially this is not a wise decision but if you want to do it simply to enjoy shooting something then it makes sense. Canon, Nikon or any of the other good DSLR's will give you wedding worthy quality. What happens if this company doesn't use your services in a couple of months. Are you still going to be happy with your gear switch decision. I am very much pro-Canon at this point but would make a switch if it made sense. I have too much invested in glass to do this now though.

This really boils down to a personal choice. Only you know your reasons for wanting to shoot weddings for someone else and never do it on your own. You will get plenty of differing opinions on forums but they are just that opinions and only you can make this choice.

fashionrider wrote in post #15249247
I've been wanting to get into wedding photography as a 2nd shooter for a while now. Not interested in starting my own business or anything, I don't rely on photography as a source of income.

To make things short, my friend is a wedding photographer for a company. Everyone at the company likes my photos, enjoy my personality, etc. They said I'm perfect for their team. However, their lead photographer only shoots with Nikon. And all of his 2nd shooters and assistants shoot Nikon. He basically gave me an ultimatum: switch to full-frame Nikon or you can't work with us.

I've been looking to upgrade to a 5d3 anyway, so purchasing a full-frame camera isn't a problem. However, I already have L lens from Canon. Should I sell everything and switch over to Nikon? I"ll lose some $$$ from selling my gear just to buy Nikon stuff, but in return, I get to do wedding photography.

What should I do?

What would I do?

Tell them to go pound sand. I've used a Nikon and it's very uncomfortable and it would drive me crazy trying to use one to do any serious work. There is absolutely no reason why they can't work with RAW files from either brand.

the only legitimate reason for them to demand the switch is the backup gear and interchangeability of everyones stuff. That makes it smart and protects them from failed eqpt.